October 5-6, 2017

Misconceptions are very common in the world
of infertility. One popular myth is that infertility is the woman's problem and
that once that "problem" is fixed; the couple will be able to
conceive. This could not be farther from the truth. In fact, in nearly 30% of
all infertility cases, the cause is attributed to a factor in the male and in
an additional 30% of cases the cause is attributed to both male and female
factors. Less than a decade ago, treatment for a severe male factor was limited
to inseminations or IVF using donor sperm. Today, exciting advances in male
infertility have introduced innovative therapeutic options that offer men,
including those with no sperm in their ejaculate due to genetic conditions, a
greatly improved chance to conceive their own biological offspring. Male factor
problems essentially fall into one of two categories: productive or
obstructive. Problems with sperm production can stem from congenital (present
at birth) problems with the testicle, hormone-related issues, varicose veins,
environmental exposures, or cancer. In these cases, a detailed consultation
with a reproductive endocrinologist or reproductive urologist can help pinpoint
potential causes as well as facilitate treatment with the intent of improving a
patient's numbers.